Trip Planning Resources
Liability Waiver
You are required to read and fill out the Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumption of Risks and Indemnity Agreement located below prior to booking a trip with us. Please read it carefully.
Questions
Common questions about trips, training, and mountain operations.
-You are required to read and fill out the Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumption of Risks and Indemnity Agreement located below prior to booking a trip with us. Please read it carefully.
-Private guiding and custom trips can be arranged by email or phone.
-Backcountry travel and adventure sports carry a degree of risk, each participant must complete a liability waiver. This waiver is sent to participants upon booking and must be completed online before the trip date.
-Arctos Guides reserves the right to adjust or cancel the itinerary to any trip due to poor conditions, inadequate participant enrolment, loss of guide, or other reasons without penalty to Arctos Guides. For this reason, we highly recommend appropriate insurance (See Trip Cancelation Insurance).
-Arctos Guides does not accept responsibility for costs incurred by persons or entities associated with the change or prolongation of any trips.
-MINORS
All minors (under than age of 18) participating in courses and trips must have a waiver signed by a legal parent or guardian. Minors must be accompanied by a legal parent or guardian on all backcountry trips.
Unless otherwise indicated, all prices listed on our website are in Canadian Dollars. All prices are subject to an additional 5% Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) which will be applied to your booking at checkout. We accept cash, email transfer and credit card for payment. Cheque is only accepted 30 days prior to trip commencement.
When making a booking
Greater than 14 days from start date
50% deposit is required to secure your guides and or trip. Remaining trip cost is due 14 days prior to the start of the trip.
Less than 14 days from start date
Trip cost must be paid in full
Longer and more involved trips may involve additional fees. Transportation, accommodation, ski passes, and food are not included in the trip cost unless specifically stated on trip page. Catering may be added upon request to any trip at additional cost.
AMGA Assistant Rock Guide
Apprentice Alpine Guide
Whether navigating the Selkirks or leading international expeditions, Conor and the Arctos team prioritize terrain-driven objectives and expert decision-making.
Cancellations:
Greater than 30 days from start date:
40% of the deposit will be refunded.
30 to 14 days prior to trip commencement:
Deposit amount will be forfeited.
Less than 14 days:
Full trip amount will be forfeited.
WEATHER AND CONDITIONS POLICY
Weather and conditions are unpredictable year-round dictate how we plan and execute each trip. In the event conditions are not appropriate complete a specific objective in your trip plan, we will have a contingency plan for an alternative objective. If your trip is affected by weather, you will be contacted as soon as possible.
We do our best to provide the best experience possible. It is not feasible to issue refunds whenever a client is dissatisfied with the weather. If you have a specific objective in mind, you should understand that while we will do everything in our power to make this happen, your safety will be our priority and an alternate route/plan may be necessary.
Upon confirmation of your trip, Arctos Guides enters into financial obligation and can’t refund payment or release you from your contractual obligation except for conditions stated above in “Cancellations.” In an effort to avoid unnecessary cancellation penalties, cancellation insurance is strongly recommended in the event you cannot participate or if your trip is interrupted “for any reason”. We recommend Global Rescue for trip cancelation and medical insurance while traveling within Canada.
All participants must have personal internationally accepted medical insurance for all activities pertaining to your trip including emergency rescue and evacuation. With your insurance please ensure you will be covered for “roped travel” if booking a technical trip.
Canada – Rescue insurance is not required
USA – Required
Argentina- Required
Chile- Required
Yes. We design custom expeditions for groups with specific objectives. Contact our team to discuss your vision, timeline, and technical requirements. Custom trips require a minimum of three months planning.
Each trip has specific fitness demands listed in the itinerary. Alpine climbing requires sustained cardiovascular fitness and strength. Winter ski mountaineering demands aerobic capacity and technical skiing ability. Contact us to discuss your preparation timeline.
Shovel
Probe
Transceiver (3-antenna)
Ski Touring Skis or Splitboard
Skins
Ski touring boots/snowboarding boots
Ski poles
Helmet
Headlamp
Goggles
Sunglasses
Personal first aid supplies
Toque
Minimum 1L water bottle or Thermos
Gore-tex (or equivalent) jacket
Gore-tex (or equivalent) pants
Puffy jacket
Warm layers for upper and lower body— adequate for below freezing temperatures and wind
Thick gloves
Spare gloves
30-40L backpack
Harness
Triple action captive eye Locking carabiner
Harness and carabiners are required for glacier travel.
Ski crampons (Only if we advise bringing them prior to the trip)
Shovel
Probe
Transceiver (3-antenna)
Ski Touring Skis or Splitboard
Skins
Ski touring boots/snowboarding boots
Ski poles
Headlamp
Goggles
Sunglasses
Personal first aid supplies
Toque
Minimum 1L water bottle or Thermos
Gore-tex (or equivalent) jacket
Gore-tex (or equivalent) pants
Puffy jacket
Warm layers for upper and lower body— adequate for below freezing temperatures and wind
Thick gloves
Spare gloves
40L backpack
Harness
Triple action captive eye Locking carabiner
Harness and carabiners are required for glacier travel.
Ski crampons
Comfortable lodge clothes
Please pack light as space is limited in the helicopter.
Shovel
Probe
Transceiver (3-antenna)
Ski Touring Skis or Splitboard
Skins
Personal repair kit specific to your equipment
Ski touring boots/snowboarding boots
Ski poles
Helmet
Headlamp
Goggles
Sunglasses
Personal first aid supplies
Toque
Minimum 1L water bottle or Thermos
Gore-tex (or equivalent) jacket
Gore-tex (or equivalent) pants
Puffy jacket
Warm layers for upper and lower body adequate for below freezing temperatures and wind
Thick gloves
Spare gloves
Lightweight harness
2 locking carabiners or one triple action captive eye locking carabiner
40L backpack
Ski crampons
Skin wax
Lightweight Crampons
Ice Axe
Shovel
Probe
Transceiver (3-antenna)
Ski touring skis or splitboard
Skins
Personal repair kit specific to your equipment
Ski touring boots/snowboarding boots
Ski poles
Headlamp
Goggles
Sunglasses
Personal first aid supplies
Helmet
Toque
Minimum 1L water bottle or Thermos
Gore-tex (or equivalent) jacket
Gore-tex (or equivalent) pants
Puffy jacket
Warm layers for upper and lower body adequate for below freezing temperatures and wind
Thick gloves
Spare gloves
Lightweight harness (if possible otherwise climbing harness will work)
3 locking carabiners
1 triple action captive eye locking carabiner
3 non-locking carabiners
240cm sewn sling (or 5m of webbing)
5m x 6mm accessory cord
Personal prussik
Micro-traxion (optional)
Tibloc (optional)
Ice screw (between 12-22cm)
30-40L backpack
Ice Axe
Crampons
Shovel
Probe
Transceiver (3-antenna)
Ski touring skis or splitboard
Skins
Personal repair kit specific to your equipment
Ski touring boots/snowboarding boots
Ski poles
Headlamp
Goggles
Sunglasses
Personal first aid supplies
Helmet
Toque
Minimum 1L water bottle or Thermos
Gore-tex (or equivalent) jacket
Gore-tex (or equivalent) pants
Puffy jacket
Warm layers for upper and lower body adequate for below freezing temperatures and wind
Thick gloves
Spare gloves
Lightweight harness (if possible otherwise climbing harness will work)
3 locking carabiners
1 triple action captive eye locking carabiner
3 non-locking carabiners
240cm sewn sling (or 5m of webbing)
5m x 6mm accessory cord
Personal prussik
Micro-traxion (optional)
Tibloc (optional)
Ice screw (between 12-22cm)
40L backpack
Ice Axe
Ski crampons
Lightweight crampons
Puffy pants (recommended for around camp)
Warm layers for upper and lower body
Socks x 2-3
Spare underwear
Sleeping Bag (at least -18 degrees)
Inflatable sleeping pad
Foam sleeping pad
Inflatable sleeping pad
Down/synthetic booties for wearing around camp
Fork/spoon
Large bowl
Drinking mug with lid
Toiletries
4-season tent (rentals available)
Cloth grocery bags (or stuff sacks) to anchor tent in snow
Guy lines for tent
BC POWDER HIGHWAY SNOWPACK & AVALANCHE CONDITIONS UPDATE
Stay up to date with current backcountry ski conditions on the Powder Highway
Welcome ski touring and splitboarding enthusiasts exploring the BC Powder Highway backcountry ski zones, including the Kootenays, Revelstoke, Golden, and surrounding British Columbia interior ranges.
As ACMG-certified ski guides and experienced avalanche professionals, we share regular BC snowpack updates, avalanche observations, and backcountry skiing conditions from across the Powder Highway region. Our goal is to provide timely, field-based insights to help skiers and splitboarders better understand current terrain and snow stability.
Powder Highway snowpack reports cover key backcountry areas such as Rogers Pass, the Selkirk Mountains, Monashee Range, and surrounding Kootenay ski touring zones. Conditions can vary significantly across aspects and elevations, and we highlight relevant patterns to support safer decision-making in the mountains.
We publish updates on a regular basis throughout the winter season. To stay informed about the latest BC backcountry skiing conditions and avalanche updates, subscribe to our newsletter.
For guided skiing and splitboarding experiences in these same regions, Arctos Guides offers expertly guided private and small-group backcountry ski touring trips across British Columbia.
Disclaimer
Backcountry skiing and splitboarding involve inherent risks, including avalanche hazard and rapidly changing mountain conditions. This information is provided for educational and observational purposes only. Users are responsible for their own decisions and safety in the backcountry.
Stay safe, stay informed, and enjoy the powder.
Check out our Powder Highway Backcountry Update
Disclaimer: Use this information at your own risk! We are not responsible for your actions in the backcountry, and conditions can change rapidly from when this report is written.
Rogers Pass Data Loggers A collection of the weather stations and data loggers in Rogers Pass
ARFI “Arfi is a collection of avalanche forecasting resources, tools, and research models collected into one map-based program. It is designed to help private and public avalanche forecasters, guides, and recreationalists."
Snow Survey Stations Interactive Map Snow survey data is collected from manual and electronic environmental monitoring sites across the province. Scientific data plays a major role in flood forecasting and determining snowpack, water levels and stream flow conditions.
”Avalanche Canada Avalanche Forecast and Weather Stations Avalanche Canada public avalanche forecast and interactive map. A cornerstone of your daily trip planning
Alberta Weather Stations Current and Historical Alberta Weather Station Data Viewer
Mountain Weather Forecast Avalanche Canada’s Mountain Weather Forecast, a fantastic synopsis of the weather for the coming week.
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Questions about your trip or need clarification on logistics?
